Glass drying apparatus



3 Sheets'-Sheet 1 J. E. STARNER GLASS DRYING APPARATUS 3nnentor jwmwc Gtfornegi March 9, 1954 Filed Aug. 23, 194'? March 9, 1954 J, N 2,671,241

GLASS DRYING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 23, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Qltomegs March 9 1954 Filed Aug 1947 J. E. STARNER GLASS DRYING APPARATUS 5 sheets sheet 3 QZZ? J %56fid w Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GLASS DRYING APPARATUS Application August 23, 1947, Serial No. 770,259

Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to glass cleaning apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for drying bent or curved sheets or plates of glass.

An important object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus wherein the efficient drying of bent glass sheets 01' plates of different curvatures may be accomplished rapidly and conveniently in a substantially continuous manner as the said sheets or plates are carried forwardly on edge in a substantially vertical position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus of the above character embodying novel means for supporting the glass sheets which will enable the entire surfaces of said sheets to be thoroughly dried as the said sheets are carried forwardly.

A further object of the invention is the provision of improved apparatus of the above character embodying novel means for effecting a complete and uniform drying of all portions of the surfaces of the glass sheets regardless of the curvature of said sheets as they travel forwardly.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of drying apparatus of the above character of relatively simple, inexpensive construction and embodying means for supporting the bent or curved sheets of glass in a substantially vertical position and for carrying them continuously forwardly during drying without placing any strain upon the glass whereby breakage thereof will be reduced to a minimum, said supporting means presenting substantially no interference to the proper drying operations.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the course of the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings wherein like numerals are em- I ployed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, illustrating the washing means;

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken substantially on line 4l of Fig. 1, illustrating the rinsing means;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the drying means;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view through one of the tubular washing elements showing the details of the tube cleaning member;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a part of the sheet conveyor and support for the drying means; and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views which illustrate the operation of the drying means as a curved sheet of glass passes therethrough.

Generally stated, in carrying out the invention, the bent or curved sheets or plates of glass to be cleaned are placed upon one end of a conveyor and carried successively through washing, rinsing and drying zones. During conveyance through the washing zone, the sheets are supported on edge in a substantially vertical position by horizontal endless belts having relatively narrow sheet contacting surfaces. The supporting belts in the washing zone are arranged at different levels, so that different areas of the sheets are engaged by the belts to assure that the entire sheet surfaces are exposed to the washing fluid. The glass sheet passes from the washing zone through a rinsing zone into a drying zone. The drying of the sheet surfaces is accomplished by a pair of blower pipes carried by a pivotally mounted framework. The framework is provided with supporting surfaces along which the curved glass sheet moves and, by reason of the novel pivotal support, the blower pipes are caused to follow the curvature of the glass sheet to thoroughly remove the moisture from each surface thereof. Upon passage of the sheet from the drying zone, the framework is automatically returned to its normal position to receive the leading edge of a subsequent sheet without requiring adjustment for any particular type of bend.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a tunnel-type housing, generally indicated at H], which is divided into a washing zone or compartment II and a rinsing zone or compartment t2. Extending from opposite ends of the housing H) are horizontal track supporting frames I 3 and M; the frame I3 being arranged at the entrance end of the washing compartment II to' receive the glass sheets l5 to be cleaned, while the frame M is arranged at the exit end of the rinsing compartment ii for supporting the glass sheets as they are removed to a point of inspection and packing.

A horizontal endless conveyor l6, preferably in the form of a conventional sprocket chain, is supported on track forming channels l1 and is trained about suitable sprocket wheels l8 and l 9 located at the outer ends of frames l3 and M. The sprocket wheels l 8 and I9 are carried by transversely disposed shafts 20 and 2| respec tively, journalled in bearing blocks 22 secured to the respective frames [3 or [4. One of the shafts, as shaft 2 I, provides driving power for the conveyor chain l6 by a suitable sprocket 23 keyed thereon and operatively connected to a power transmission unit 24 by a chain belt 25.

The motor 26 for driving the transmission unit 24 may be manually controlled by a hand switch 21 or caused to stop automatically .upon opening of a normally closed limit switch 23 mounted near the outer end of the frame 14. Preferably, the switch 28 is provided with an actuating bar 29 engageable by the glass sheet in the event the sheet is not removed by an operator'before reaching the end of the frame [4. Without such automatic control means, the glass'sheets might fall from the end of the conveyor line.

The conveyor chain I6 is provided at regularly spaced intervals with sheet supporting blocks 33 34' in the final washing area. In this way, those portions of the glass sheets contacted by the belts 34 in the preliminary washing area will be exposed to the washing operation in the final washing area.

ihe washing operation, conducted in compartmentll, Subjects opposite surfaces of the glass sheets to the .cleansingeffect of a scouring agent held in water suspension. It has been found that a-desired quality of scouring and cleansing may be obtained through the use of finely comminuted shell-.fiours, such as those procured by the milling of walnut, palm nut, or the like, to a degree of particle size that can be graded through 80 mesh of rubber, or other suitable material, having a 3 step 3| formed thereon for receiving the lower edges of the glass sheets [5 (Fig. 3). The blocks 30-cooperate with a plurality of freely rotatable rollers 32 which engage the-rear surfaces of the glass sheets i5 for supporting the said sheets in a substantially vertical position at the entrance and exit ends of the machine, said rollers 32 being mounted in vertically spaced, horizontal rows on the angles 33 forming a'portion of the frames l3 and I4.

During-travel of the-glass sheets-throughthe washing and rinsing compartments ii and i2, they are maintained in a similar position by pairs of longitudinally extending, horizontal'belts 3t, 34', and 35. The pairs ofbelts 34 and 33' in wash ing compartment II are trained about sheaves 36, 36', and 31, while the pair of belts in rinsing compartment [2 istrained about sheaves 38 and 39, inorder that they-may be driven at a com parable rate of speed to the conveyor chain It to adequately supportthe sheets during the washing and rinsing operations. The belts 35., 3t 35 are driven from a common jack shaft extending longitudinally alongthe top of the housing l0 and journalled in bearings 41. The shaft 4!] is coupled to a second longitudinally extending shaft 42 mounted in bearings onthe frame M, by sprockets 43 and power transmitting chain 44 (Fig. 4), the shaft 42 being rotatively connected to and driven from the shaft 2| by bevel gears 45. The jack shaft 40 is thus driven from a common source of power with the conveyor chain It and will drive vertical shafts .5 and 4! carrying sheaves 3B and 38 respectively through pairs of bevel gears 48.- The idler sheaves 36, 31 and 39 are carried by stub shafts 49 journalled in brackets 50 '(Fig. 4) and, if desired, additional idlers 5! may be interposed in the return'fiights of the belts to provide a suitable tensioning means.

' The shafts 46 and 41 are mounted in bearings,

generally indicated at 52, attached to the frame of the housing, and depend downwardly into the compartments II and I 2 to drive the pairs of belts 34, 34 and 35 trained about'the sheaves 36,36 and 31-, and 38 and 39-respectively. The pairs of belts 34 and vMP-engage the glass sheets l5 in their travel through'the washing zone H whilethe pair of belts 35 support the sheets in their travel through the rinsing zone I2.

To facilitate the washing of the entire surfaces of the glass sheets, the"belts 34 and 34' are arranged at different horizontal levels in the washing compartment I l." Thus; as best shown in Fig. 1, the belts 34 in the preliminary washing area'of the compartment I I will contact-the glass sheets in a relatively higher plane than-the belts screens; The cleansing solution is moved in a continuous system by a suitable motor driven pump 53- 'connected at the suction side to a reservoirutank 54 as at 55, and at the pressure side to a manifold 53 by a pipe 51. Leading from the manifold 56 to points within the compartment 1 I are-branch pipes 53- connected'to distributor pipes 59 and filldisposed in parallel relation along oppositesidesof theconveyor I6. The distributor pipes 59 and 60 are provided'with a plurality ofupwardly inclined, parallel spray tubes GI between which the sheets are carried by the conveyor It. The spray tubes 6| are provided with orificesfiz through which the cleansing solution is directedagainst opposite surfaces of theglass sheets.

To prevent plugging of -the=spray orifices B2 1 by slowly gathering accumulations of the. nut

flour, in suspension, axrotary self-clearing memoer 63 is located in each of the spray tubes 6| as shown in Fig.6: Each clearing member 63 comprises a spirallytwisted strip 64, located in and extendingbetween the endsof the tube. The lower end of the strip 54 is-supported on a pin 55 rotatably seated in ablock 66 welded to the distributor pipe 59 oriiil. The upper end of. the spirally twisted strip 64 has secured thereto the shaftiil of a 'waterwheel 68 and in order to suitably cap-theend of the tube 6|, the shaft 5? extends throughra -packing gland 69 so that the necessary effect of the solution under pressure will be expended in a spray from the orifices 52 of the tube.

Connected to the distributor pipes 58 and 60, adjacent each of the spray tubes Si is a feeder tube 10 havinga bent upper end portion ll directed toward the water wheel 58. The pressure of the cleansingsolution is thus urged into both tubes 6| and 10 andfrom the tubes I}! through the orifices 62 to afford a finely divided flushing spray directed upon the glass sheets while the solution stream fromthe tubes '13 impinges on the vanes or paddles 12 of the water wheels 68 to cause rotation of the spiral strips 64 within tubes 61. Thus,.while. thewashing operation is being performed, the pressure of the solution also provides a continuous self-clearingaction within the tubes 6| since, as the water wheels 58 revolve, the edges .13 of the strip 64 will be carried past the inner ends OfthEiOIlfiCGS 521 and any plugging thereof will be prevented.

The washing compartment I! of the housing it is closed at eachend by partitions M which are slotted to permit passage of the glass sheets therethrough, while the bottom of saidcompartment is provided with a sloping drain pan '15 having a centrally located outlet through which the washing solution-returns to:the tank 54. In the constructionshown-, the-top of the tank 54 is substantially open 1 with the contained. liquid being protected from foreign; particles, and: from particles of glas when a sheet is inadvertently broken, by a screen H5. The pressurized spray of cleansing solution directed against the surfaces of the glass sheet will effectively remove all soil accumulations and continuous movement will carry the curved sheets progressively through the washing zone, the force and direction of the multiple spray combining with the glass travel to effectively and thoroughly flush the glass surfaces.

Upon passage through the slotted end panels 14, the glass sheets l5 enter the rinsing compartment l2 where they are received on the pair of belts 35. The rinse compartment is preferably closed at the top and back by the panels 76 and 77 of the housing to confine the water sprays directed upon opposite surfaces of the glass sheets from a pair of substantially parallel, vertically inclined spray pipes 18. A sloping basin shaped bottom 19 communicates with the usual sump through a discharge pipe 80. In actual practice, with this type of apparatus, it has been found preferable to omit any enclosing panel from the front of the washer along which the operation is observed.

The water rinse pipes 18 are supplied from a feed pipe 8| which is also provided with an extension 82 running to a spray nozzle 83 having a widened orifice 84. The spray nozzle 83 is positioned to direct a discharge of water toward the upper edge of the glass sheet and rearwardly at an angle as shown in Fig. 1, thereby causing the moving sheet, or sheets of glass, to pass through a curtain of water to further flush the surfaces.

As the glass sheet l5 emerges from the rinse compartment l2, the opposite surfaces thereof are subjected to a blast of air which acts to dry the sheet surfaces. The direction of the blast toward each side of the sheet causes the remaining surface water to be blown in the general direction of the chamber I2. Thus, the glass sheet emerging from the rinse compartment 12 onto the track support frame I4 is subjected to the action of an air blast head designated in its entirety by the numeral 85. The blast head comprises generally a frame 86 and a pair of perforated air pipes 8'! and 8S, pivotally carried by the vertical shaft il. More specifically, the frame 86 has mounting collars 39, surrounding the shaft 4i at points above and below the sheaves 38, with upper and lower rails cs extending from the collars to a point of attachment to the spray pipe 81. The frame is completed by a vertically extending rib 9! connecting the rails 92 at a point adjacent the collars. The pipe 8'! extends upwardly from the upper frame rail 99 to a manifold block 92 to which the spray pipe 83 is connected at its upper end. A supply pipe 3 for air under pressure is connected to the manifold block 92 through the flexible tubing 94.

Disposed in parallel relation between the upper and lower rails 90 are a plurality of horizontally arranged rollers 95 rotatably supported on barsflt secured at their opposite ends to the pipe 8'! and rib 9. The rollers 95 are engaged by the glass sheet [5 as it leaves the rinsing compartment l2 and, in the embodiment of the invention herein set forth, are urged by a spring 91 acting on the frame 86 into the path of the oncoming sheet. The frame is therefore normally maintained in the path of travel of the glass sheets by the spring 81 attached to the frame of the housing 56 and to the manifold block 32. The air pipes 81 and 83 depend from the manifold block 92 in parallel relation and in such relation to the rollers'95 that the glass sheet passing therebetween will be maintained substantially equidistant from said pipes.

As pointed out above, the apparatus herein provided is particularly adapted for the washing of bent or curved glass sheets or plates. It will be apparent that the leading and/or rear edges of the sheets will rise from the generally supported plane and would normally tend to collide with the pipes 8! and 86 as the sheets pass from the rinsing compartment. The gradually changing contour of the sheet also prevents any permanent positioning of the pipes 81 and 88 since, in such case, an equal distribution of air pressure upon all portions of the sheet surfaces could not be attained. The blast head 85 will thus be caused to move rearwardly by the sheet as the curvature thereof progressively changes and will be returned to its normal position by the spring 91 as the sheet passes along the frame l4 toward the end thereof. Such progressive swinging of the frame 8% is shownin Figs. 8, 9 and 10 wherein the bent sheet of glass 15 is shown in Fig. 8 as initially contacting rollers to move the frame 86 rearwardly to cause the pipes 81 and 88 to be moved from their positions in the path of travel of the glass sheet to a position at which the leading edge of the sheet will pass safely therebetween as shown in Fig. 9 and wherein the surfaces of the sheet will be substantially equally spaced from the pipes 81 and 88. As the sheet continues to move between the pipes 81 and 88, the spring 91 will automatically urge the frame 86 forwardly as shown in Fig. 10. Thus, the frame is caused to move rearwardly and then forwardly depending upon the curvature of the glass sheet, and in such manner that as different portions of the sheet pass between the pipes 81 and 88, the said pipes will be maintained substantially equidistant from the sheet surfaces to effect a uniform application of pressure fluid upon all portions of the sheet to effect uniform and efiicient drying thereof.

To prevent the glass sheets from falling from the end of the conveyor sheet It, the limit switch 28 will be actuated by the sheet and cause to break the circuit through the motor 25 operating the transmission unit 24, thereby bringing the conveyor to a stop.

From the above, it Will be readily seen that with the apparatus herein provided, the handling of glass sheets or plates, particularly when bent or curved, during washing and drying, is reduced to a minimum. Also, that the apparatus is of relatively simple construction and that it can be operated rapidly and conveniently to efiect a thorough and efficient washing and drying of the glass. While the invention is particularly adapted for the washing of glass sheets or plates, it will be apparent that the apparatus may be used for the treatment of sheets of other mate-' rials.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is, to be taken as the preferred embodimentof. thesame'. and that, various changes in the shapesize and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for drying curved sheets or plates of glass or the like,'means for supporting a curved glass sheet onedge in an inclined substantially vertical position and for carrying it forwardly edgewise in a substantially straight horizontal path through a drying zone, a frame 2&71341:

pivotally; mounted-riot- :swingin'gomovement toward; and-away'ifromztherpath of travel of :the sheet, air:supplyingameans:carried by therframe for directingzblastsoi airragainst opposite surfaces ofathe sheet, saidmeanscomprising spaced. perforated pipes;between which the sheet passes during thedryingoperation, means also carried by the frame for substantially aligning the space between said pipes with the leading edge of the curved glass sheet andspringmeans associated with the air supplying means for maintaining the spaced pipes predetermined, substantially equal distances from-opposite surfaces of the sheet as said sheet continues along the horizontal path.

2. In apparatus for drying 'curved sheets or plates of glass or the like; means for supporting a curved'glass sheet on edge in an inclined substantially vertical position and for carrying it forwardly edgewise in a substantially straight horizontal path through a-drying zone, a frame pivotally mounted for swinging movement toward and awayfrom the path of travel of the sheet, air supplying means normally maintained in the path of travel of the sheet, said means comprising spaced perforated pipes carried by the frame and between which the glass sheet passes for directing blasts of air against opposite surfaces of the sheet; means also carried by the frame and operative upon engagement with the sheet'for urgingthespace between the pipes into substantial alignment with the leading edge of said sheet, and spring means associated with the air supplying means'for maintaining the spaced pipes predetermined, substantially equal distances from oppositesurfacesof the sheet as said sheet continues along the horizontal path and for returning said pipes into the path of travel of the sheet after-said sheet has'been acted upon by theair supplying means, said aligning causing pivotal movement of the frame from a position inclined tothehorizontalpath of travel of the sheet to a'position'substantially parallel to said path.

3. In apparatus for drying curved sheets or plates of glass or theplike, means for supporting a curved glass sheet onj-edge in an inclined substantially vertical position and for carrying it forwardly edgewise in a substantially straight horizontal path throughJa drying zone, a frame pivotally mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the path of travel of the sheet, air supplying means comprising inclined, spaced and perforated pipes carried by the frame for. directing blasts of air .againstopposite surfaces of the sheet, roller means also carried by the frame andoperative upon engagement with the sheet for substantially aligning the space between the-pipes with the sheet, and spring means resisting the .action of the roller means and associated with the air supplying means for maintaining the spaced pipes predetermined, substantiallyequal distances from opposite surfaces of the sheet as said sheet. continues along the. horizontal .path.

4. In apparatus .for dryingcurved sheets or plates of glass or the like, means for supporting a curved glass sheet on edge in an inclined substantially vertical position and for carrying it forwardly edgewise in a substantially straight horizontal paththrougha drying zone, a frame plvotally cmounted :for swinging a movement toward and away fromthe path of travel of-the sheet, air supplying-means carried by the: frame including apair of inclined substantially parallel perforated pipes normally maintained in the path of travel of the-sheet for directing blasts of air against opposite surfaces of said sheet, said pipes being-spaced from one another to provide an open portion through which the sheet passes during the drying operation, roller means also carried by the frame and operative upon engagement with-'the-sheet for urging the pipes away from the path of travel of the sheet and the-open portion therebetween into; substantial alignment with the leading edge of the sheet, and spring means resistingthe action of the roller means and associated with the air supplying means-for maintaining the pipes predetermined, substantially equal distances from opposite surfaces of the sheet as'said sheet passes therebetween and for returning the pipes into the path of travel of the sheet.

5. In apparatus for drying curved sheets or plates of glass or the like, means for supporting a curved glass sheet on edge in an inclined substantially vertical position and for carrying it forwardly edgewise in a substantially straight horizontal paththrough a drying'zone, a frame pivotally mounted for; swinging movement to ward and away from the path of travel of the sheet, air supplying means carried by the frame including a pair of inclined substantially'parallel perforated pipes normally maintained in the path of travel of the sheet for directing blasts of air againstopposite surfaces of said sheet, said pipes being spaced from one another to provide an open portion through which the sheet passes during the drying operation, roller means also carried by the frameand operative upon engagement with the sheet-for urging'the pipes away from the path of travel of the sheet and the open portion therebetween into substantial alignment with the leading edge of the sheet, and spring means resisting-the action of the roller means and associated withthe air supplying means for maintaining the pipes predetermined, substantially equal distances from opposite surfaces of the sheet as said sheet passes therebetween and for returning the pipes into the path of travel of the sheet, said rollermeans causing pivotal movement of the frame from a position inclined to the horizontal path of travel of the sheet to a positionsubstantially parallel to said path.

JAMES E. STARNER.

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